senate republican blocked chuck hagel to be secretary of defense. it's a move that plays politics with the pentagon, a move to stop debate and failed confirmation 58-40. it is the first time a defense secretary nominee has needed to clear 60 votes. the move is likely to further strain partisan tensions less than a month into president obama's second term. >> my expectation and hope is that chuck hagel, who richly deserves to get a vote on the floor of the senate will be confirmed as our defense secretary. it's just unfortunate that this kind of politics intrudes at a time when i'm still presiding over a war in afghanistan. >> there are still questions outstanding. i believe that senators have the right to have those questions answered. >> some senators say they want to examine information regarding u.s. consulate attack in benghazi. some say after next week's recess, though, hagel will be ultimately confirmed. >>> during a live streaming google hangout chat thursday president obama defended his administration's use of drones in the war on terror ins